Sarum

The Novel of England

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 45 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In Sarum, Edward Rutherfurd weaves a compelling saga of five English families whose fates become intertwined over the course of centuries. While each family has its own distinct characteristics, the successive generations reflect the changing character of Britain. We become drawn not only into the fortunes of the individual family members, but also the larger destinies of each family line.

Meticulously researched and epic in scope, Sarum covers the entire sweep of English civilization: from the early hunters and farmers, the creation of Stonehenge, the dawn of Christianity, and the Black Death; through the Reformation, the wars in America, the Industrial Age, and the Victorian social reforms; up through the World War II invasion of Normandy and the modern-day concerns of a once-preeminent empire.

©1987 Edward Rutherfurd (P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Nadia May is ideal; her British accents fit the locale, and her pacing and characterizations are smooth, unobtrusive and compelling. The ease of her reading leads the listener to forget she is there, the sign of the perfect narrator.” ( AudioFile)

I tried to finish it...

An epic I had always pondered to enjoy - in the printed form I would have found it easier to follow the genealogy. Alas, I could not keep up with the who's who and found it distracting to the point I became apathetic to the book and could no longer listen with 10 hours yet to go. Life is short, Sarum is not.

Wonderful!

This book and London are fabulous! On my way to another Amazing Rutherfurd book and many more!

Wonderful narration

I've been meaning to read Sarum for 30 years, but never managed more than a few chapters. Happy to have finished it with the aid of the wonderful narrator.

Most enjoyable

Rutherfurd has authored a captivating tale that chronicles the fortunes of several families as the story weaves through significant periods in English history. The story lines of the individual families remain true to historical events and, in some small way, allow us to experience what life in those times may have really been like.
I had some initial trepidation on the choice of Wanda McCaddon as narrator. However! Twenty minutes into the book and I was sold and thereafter thoroughly enjoyed her rendition.

Mostly Brilliant

I listened with a sigh. oh blast! I thought; I'm now definitely going to maintain my reputation for fussiness over pronunciation.
First, Wanda McCaddon aka Doneda Peters; is a well known reader to me. I've listened to many of her performances, and like her voice very much. She adds character without over doing it; and rarely lets one down.
This performance is mostly brilliant.
Only one tiny (but teeth grinding) problem. Nobody explained to her, the all important rules of Celtic pronunciation.
No soft C's....F is pronounced like V, no soft G's.
So when she said "Selt" rather than "Kelt" in virtually the first line, I was a little dismayed.
When she went on to say "Affon" rather than "Avon" (at least she pronounced the "A" correctly) I actually chuckled, as the sentence read something like
"The Roman's pronunciation sounded strange to the Celts' ears" Actually, the Roman pronounced Afon correctly, the Celtic way.
I know, we've established that I am an irritating fusspot....but...in a reading of a book, these little things can make or mar the telling.
Luckily, Wanda's overall performance is up to her usual star turn. I hold the researchers and producers responsible for these slips.
The book itself is extraordinary. Rutherfurd brings us an history of a part of England; that is rich and compelling.
If you happen to know the area well (as I am lucky to do) the story becomes even more fascinating, as you feel the development and changes over the centuries.
I have read other Rutherfurd books, his "London" remains locked in my memory.
I love the way that Rutherfurd gives his characters small identifiable physical characteristics, so that one may recognise the line of descendants over the story.
Wonderful story for lovers of England, British history, and particularly Salisbury and Wiltshire.
Overall brilliant....how does one describe an audio equivalent of a page turner?
I couldn't bear to take out my earbuds......I worked happily on cleaning /sorting tasks for hours allowing the story to transport me.

Hoping for more . . .

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I loved Rutherford's New York: The Novel, so I thought this would be as good. Not so much. I did enjoy the history aspect, but he bit off WAY too much. I only slightly exaggerate, that he started at the 'beginning of time' and worked forward. Obviously, the story had to make jumps, in his effort to leave a thread in the genealogy - but too big o'jumps and keeping track of how a surname would change through eons of time was tough. I applaud his efforts, but unless you LOVE history, which I do - you will not make it through this HUGE book. I did make it - and . . . . glad I did, but . . . wouldn't especially recommend it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Edward Rutherfurd again?

Yes - I own Paris and I am hoping it is better. I will take it on after I let a few more books float under my bridge. Need a break from the history and need to get rid of some Sarum cobwebs.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It was okay. About right I guess. But . . . wow - what a looooooooong recording session. This guy deserves a longevity award!

Did Sarum inspire you to do anything?

Ha! It has not taken away my desire for a long trip to Great Britain!

Awkward to follow but worth the effort.

Would you consider the audio edition of Sarum to be better than the print version?

Loaded! I had some difficulty with this title. It's loaded with details and plots lines. I found myself going back chapters to get my bearings and listen again to plot threads. However, I stilled struggled through it and must say I enjoyed it.

So much so I moved on to Paris, after having read Sarum I hoped I was familiar with the author's format, character and plot development and might be able to follow things a bit better.

I say more on that books review.

Advice, stick with it.

Would you recommend Sarum to your friends? Why or why not?

With the explanation that it's a challenge to follow and not an especially easy read but a very good one.

Have you listened to any of Wanda McCaddon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

I really wish they would have picked a different narrator

I've downloaded over 30 books and this is by far the worst in terms of narration. Her voice becomes very grating and I can't listen for more than 30-40 minutes in a sitting, before wanting to throw my headphones against the wall. It's probably a great read, but I can't tolerate her voice.

Incredible storytelling, worthy performance!

This was an AMAZING book and will definitely be one I repeat. I have SUCH amazement at the authors accomplishment and creativity! I was afraid it would be dry but it was a remarkably compelling and interesting.

Great Historical Novel of England !

Story line and history excellent. Good explanation/dramatization of Druids and Stone Hedge. Good explanation of how the class system arose in England. Helped to explain some of the uptight religious and social oddness of the British culture and why the British public cares if Markle wears her purse over her shoulder or crosses her legs while sitting.

Over 45 hours a bargain!

Narrator excellent; reader added to the story, never distracted; different accents and genders perfect!

Worth a second and third listen. I recommend this book.